Skipit3

Fri, Sep 24, 2010 : 2:14 a.m.

In continuation to my post above, I don't know whether or not you would be qualified to be a Head Coach, Chairman of the Federal Reserve, Secretary of State, or even the President of the United States because I don't know you. One thing I do know from my personal experience in the military and my professional life, is that what we see on the surface may not be what the reality of the whole thing is. We don't know what the coaching staff is doing or not doing and we certainly don't know what they're going through behind the scene. We make speculations and we are so quick to complain and not giving someone the benefit of the doubt. I have had experience with people that have incessantly complained about a leader or supervisor. When put in that position, they do exactly the same things they were complaining about or worse. It's easy to criticize a quarterback from your living room couch when you don't have two or three 300+ lbs linemen coming at you. Some of you are criticizing RR based solely on emotions and a perception that he is a dishonest person. Yes indeed, RR has made some mistakes, but have you for one minute ever put yourselves in his shoes? Well, you don't have to answer this question because I can already presume what your answer will be since you, Mr. Ghost, is such a perfect human being. By the way, I was not one of the anti-Carr folks. I supported him as the HC because ultimately I support the team. I will continue to support RR until he is no longer the HC. I will support the next HC, be it Jim Harbaugh, Les Miles, or even you or 3AndOut, should you guys take on my proposition to apply for the job and get hired.

Skipit3

Fri, Sep 24, 2010 : 2:12 a.m.

Well Ghost, I have responded to your post on the other article, but for some reason it mysteriously disappeared. Here we go again! Constructive criticism is not a bad thing, but complaining is. There is a clear distinction between the two. For instance, Tulsa pointed out that RR should not be down on his kickers in public; thats constructive criticism. On the other hand, people like you and 3AndOut keep pointing to those so-called facts in an effort to demean anything positive that has been happening with the program. Additionally, you guys have made it a habit to constantly attack RRs character. One thing I do know about complainers is that they complain about a problem or a situation simply because they dont have a clue on how to solve that problem or properly address the so-called bad situation. As a result, they panic and their panic translates into complaining. Complaining is bad for any organization since it can be very contagious. Constructive criticism can help an organization to blossom.

BornInA2

Thu, Sep 23, 2010 : 12:14 p.m.

The moderation here is getting more and more skewed toward the RR supporters. My post and several others detracting from RR were removed, but those criticizing 3andOut are left in place? I get it, this is a moderated forum, but please try to be even handed about it. My opinion: We can't catch punts again this year. Carr's punter and place kicker are gone and now we can't do either of those things. We also can't cover receivers or pressure Div 1-AA QBs. We have a QB who has saved two or three games for us, just like last year.

CamaroDan

Thu, Sep 23, 2010 : 12:10 p.m.

3 and out...how come you keep changing your 'facts'(your opinions). You said earlier in the season that: more excuses from Rich Rod and his crybaby followers for Rich Rods terrible coaching and inability to keep a ton of talent that Lloyd left... facts, all facts and truths... its ok though after this year we will not have to discuss Rich Rod any longer. 4-8. 5-7 tops. So, you now say that 'at least 6 losses' shouldn't that be 7?? Because you stated 5-7 tops, that means they will have to have 7 or more losses, not 6. Are you changing your facts to fit the situation and account for more wins that UM will get this year? Also, why don't you mention any stats from the NCAA on UM's offence?

treetowncartel

Thu, Sep 23, 2010 : 11:59 a.m.

3 and out, this is not a free speech fomr, please review the comment moderation guidleines. Special teams have been a reoccuring problem at U of M over the years I have been watching. They do have some good years, but it seems more often than not they struggle. They might as well let Shoelace handle returns too.

Dschan

Thu, Sep 23, 2010 : 9:23 a.m.

3 and out - at least 6 losses this year with the 100th ranked defense and 128th ranked punt returns.... lets face the facts shall we???? none of that is factual, it is all your speculation. but do you want to what is a fact? 3-0

Skipit3

Thu, Sep 23, 2010 : 6:54 a.m.

3 And Out, I am not angry and I am not being insulting. I am merely suggesting a reasonable solution to the RR problem. Since his job performance is so vexing to you and since your extensive knowledge of schemes and personnel/asset proper utilization seems to suggest that you may be qualified for the headcoaching job, I think you should seriously consider applying for the position when and if it becomes vacant. If RR could be voted out by fans, I would have suggested another alternative.

3 And Out

Thu, Sep 23, 2010 : 6:25 a.m.

skip...no offense, but I laugh at short sighted folk like you who take me on and try to bury me here... facts are what they are...you want to draw your own conclusion and state it here...GO for it! This is a free speech forum. But to get angry and insulting of another poster is crossing the line... can you get that? 3-9, 5-7, at least 6 losses this year with the 100th ranked defense and 128th ranked punt returns.... lets face the facts shall we????

Skipit3

Thu, Sep 23, 2010 : 4:02 a.m.

3 & pout, By reading your last post, it sounds like you have it all figured out. It sounds like you have inside information on everything that is going on in training camp. Since you are such an expert/knowledgeable individual and since you expect RR to get fired at the end of this season, thus your name 3 And Out, why don't you apply for the headcoaching job? I am sure you will be doing a much better job than RR once you get hired. I agree with Tulsa about RR possibly affecting the kids' confidence by going public and asking for students to try out. However, this may also work both ways. I know I would be angry about it and anger can bring out the best in some of us.

3 And Out

Wed, Sep 22, 2010 : 10:53 p.m.

thats a good point amazin...certainly both kickers have enough "leg" to make the field goals... and honestly to put it all on their "heads" like Rich Rod keeps saying in the press.... is not an accurate profile of everything a kicker does. Kickers have technique... they have a certain rhythm and swing much like a golfer, as Jason Hanson of the Lions has stated on many occasions. Who is coaching our kickers on their technique? Are they getting private coaching in the offseason? Certainly Gibson is not an expert on kicking. As for the ability to catch a punt cleanly and turn it up field...that is another technique issue...just like blocking, tackling, pass coverage, throwing a pass....there is coachable technique to it. Instead of reading about those issues... I read our coach stating things like its mental, confidence, we played tentative etc... certainly that has something to do with it...but technique comes first... you must have technique down...every good coach knows that and that is why you do repeated drills over and over and over in football.... or any other competitive sport for that matter.

Lemansblue

Wed, Sep 22, 2010 : 10:21 p.m.

Come on RR needs at least 4 years to get his kicking system in place. Can they kick out of the 3-3-5?

amaizenblueballs

Wed, Sep 22, 2010 : 10:11 p.m.

If it isn't an NCAA violation we need a team hyptonist. We have recruited a fine kicker and a fine punter, but they need a neural block until they get confidence. I do wish RR would not belittle the kickers with these tryouts. If I did this to one of my employees at work I would have my butt called down to HR. It is one thing if they are lazy or not team players, but this is not the problem here. Keep it private coach. I agree with 3 And Out on Tony Gibson. When will the coaches be belittled? Kicking is not a recruiting issue. It is a maximizing talend issue. Finally, the snaps to the holder need work. This surely doesn't help kicker confidence and no one is jumping on this.

3 And Out

Wed, Sep 22, 2010 : 8:29 p.m.

Just the stats...Michboy...its all documented....anyone who gets angry at me should redirect their anger to the actual source of the stats and the person responsible.

michboy40

Wed, Sep 22, 2010 : 8:25 p.m.

I agree Tulsa...the way RR yells on the sideline I have to assume it's the same in practice. He is brutal, and if he keeps it up he will have a lot of health issues as we are seeing with other coaches. RR, dial it down a notch and get some sleep. You may do your team more good than you think. I don't read 3anout nonsense, but based on the posts it looks like he's got everyone fired up as usual. lol

tulsatom

Wed, Sep 22, 2010 : 8:14 p.m.

maizenbluedoc, I never played college football but believe the college game must have a lot more pressure involved, which makes the mental adjustment even more critical than the physical one. As 81wolverine noted, there's a big difference between playing in front of 1,00 fans and 111,000 fans and you can't always tell who can handle that kind of pressure until you put them in it. Coach RR eeven said the punters and kickers all do well in practice but so far it hasn't translated to the game. Give it time. It will, I bet, but only through encouragement and confidence.

3 And Out

Wed, Sep 22, 2010 : 7:40 p.m.

and that would be last in the NCAA Mike B http://www.ncaa.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/ncaa-m-footbl-fbs-team-punt-returns.html

3 And Out

Wed, Sep 22, 2010 : 7:37 p.m.

For those that dont wish to click to NCAA website...here is all you need to see: 118Michigan32-100 -5.00300 It is interesting to note the LOW number of punts forced by our terrible Rich Rodriguez signature defense... they dont count the ones that are not returned but that is a pretty low number isnt it?

maizenbluedoc

Wed, Sep 22, 2010 : 7:22 p.m.

tulsatom: I agree with your comment about encouraging players and not berating them in public, but shouldn't the kickers have experience from high school and earlier years? They should perfect their kicking in college, not start at kicking 101.

GoblueinNE_PA

Wed, Sep 22, 2010 : 7:11 p.m.

Toussant and Cox playing. Yeah right. Maybe next week you ask the coach a tough question about why we aren't seeing any one else in the backfield.

81wolverine

Wed, Sep 22, 2010 : 6:31 p.m.

@3andout (alias Dr. Gloom and Doom). Geez, give me a break. Will Hagerup was one of the TOP high school punters a year ago. He's a FRICKIN freshman! Give him a break please. It's VERY hard to go from punting in front of a few hundred fans to punting in the Big House in front of a national TV audience. Wright was at least a 3 star recruit who should be able to compete at the Division 1 level. However, this is only his 2nd year. Give him a chance for God's sake. "Trying to find humour"? Give me a break. All you're trying to find is a way to cast a negative light on everything. I believe things will improve and it's a LOT better to be positive about our 3-0 start than spewing negativity. Just my opinion.

MikeB

Wed, Sep 22, 2010 : 6:01 p.m.

3 and Pout, I find plenty of humor? I read your post twice and got a lot of laughs. For example I looked at punt returns and found that Michigan is indeed doing poorly but is not last, it is not the worst school in the Big 10 and is ranked above number 4 Texas (Coaches poll). Total Offense over 500 yards a game (top 10) etc, etc. Now we all know the kicking game is bad, but do we have to make stuff up to prove our point? BTW, got any eligibility left? They need a kicker

tulsatom

Wed, Sep 22, 2010 : 4:48 p.m.

Coach RR said: In our judgment, Brendan and Seth are still the better of the group so far, Rodriguez said. Theres no question in our mind they can do it. Its just a matter of concentration and focus. Don't forget to add confidence to that equation. Confidence comes from a combination of ability, experience, practice, concentration, and correct technique. It also helps to have a coach who encourages the kicker and doesn't berate him in public. As a player in high school, I always did my best when I knew the coaches believed in me and didn't criticize me in public. With Coach Rodriguez, it appears he only offers encouragement after the player achieves success, which doesn't help with inexperienced kickers whose psychological state of mind is just as big a factor in success as the physical aspect of kicking the ball.

3 And Out

Wed, Sep 22, 2010 : 4:40 p.m.

Its funny...but in a bad way... after 3 recruiting classes, RR is still unable to bring in a decent kicker or punter and the special teams are absolutely pathetic under special teams coach Tony Gibson. Michigan ranks dead last in the nation in punt returns... punting is terrible and kicking is worse. Im trying to find some humour in this situation and the only thing is the pathetic way that RR is holding daily student tryouts for this kicker position as well as others: http://www.detnews.com/article/20100922/SPORTS0201/9220409/1131/sports0201/Wolverines-taking-look-at--interesting-gamut--of-student-kickers This is Michigan football?